Legal Definitions - sanctuary

A sanctuary is a safe place where someone can go to escape danger or persecution. In the past, there were places called sanctuaries where people could go to avoid being arrested or punished by the law. These were usually churches or other religious buildings where the law could not be enforced.

For example, in medieval England, if a criminal took refuge in a church, they could not be arrested for 40 days. After that, they had to either stand trial or leave the country. This was called the right of sanctuary.

Today, a sanctuary can also refer to a place where animals are protected and cared for. For instance, a wildlife sanctuary is a place where animals can live safely in their natural habitat without being hunted or harmed by humans.

In a religious context, a sanctuary can also refer to the area of a church where the altar is located. This is considered a holy space where people can come to pray and worship.